Guinea Pig Sounds, Possibly Sick?

[cavymom2802]

I am rather new to guinea pig ownership (about a month of owning my guinea pig so far) but my guinea pig is acting normal and eating mostly normal; she hasn’t eaten quite as much hay as usual lately but she’s eaten her pellets much faster and is more than happy to eat any vegetables we give her. She has “ignored” her hay once before too, so I’m not really worried about her not eating tons of hay. She is just as social as always and has no signs of being sick from what I’ve read, no crusty/closed eyes, no cough, she seems a little more tired than usual but she also takes a lot of daytime naps. The only thing that worries me is the noises she is making when we hold her. She always makes noises when we old her but this time her “purring” sounds a little different, maybe a little congested? But her breathing sounds normal, I can’t hesr anything. Basically I want to know if I’m being way too paranoid or if something could actually be wrong. I am having a hard time uploading the video of her noises but when I figure it out I will upload it haha

 

[Wiebke]

I am rather new to guinea pig ownership (about a month of owning my guinea pig so far) but my guinea pig is acting normal and eating mostly normal; she hasn’t eaten quite as much hay as usual lately but she’s eaten her pellets much faster and is more than happy to eat any vegetables we give her. She has “ignored” her hay once before too, so I’m not really worried about her not eating tons of hay. She is just as social as always and has no signs of being sick from what I’ve read, no crusty/closed eyes, no cough, she seems a little more tired than usual but she also takes a lot of daytime naps. The only thing that worries me is the noises she is making when we hold her. She always makes noises when we old her but this time her “purring” sounds a little different, maybe a little congested? But her breathing sounds normal, I can’t hesr anything. Basically I want to know if I’m being way too paranoid or if something could actually be wrong. I am having a hard time uploading the video of her noises but when I figure it out I will upload it haha

Hi and welcome

We do not have a video uploading facility on this member sponsored forum. You have to upload elsewhere on a public setting and then parse in the url of your video.

It can well be that she has a slightly stuffy nose from a bit of hay dust, which is usually more noticeable when she is either a bit stressed (like during lap time) or when eating.

If you are worried, then please see a vet. Be aware that any vet will treat for URI if there is the slightest indication, just because it is potentially a killer disease.

 

[cavymom2802]

Hi and welcome

We do not have a video uploading facility on this member sponsored forum. You have to upload elsewhere on a public setting and then parse in the url of your video.

It can well be that she has a slightly stuffy nose from a bit of hay dust, which is usually more noticeable when she is either a bit stressed (like during lap time) or when eating.

If you are worried, then please see a vet. Be aware that any vet will treat for URI if there is the slightest indication, just because it is potentially a killer disease.

Ok, thanks. Here’s the link to the video


Hopefully it works would the hay dust cause her to be more susceptible to a URI or does it just make her sound a little funny?

 

[Wiebke]

To be honest, it doesn't sound badly congested to me. If you are worried and the congestion is still there by tomorrow, then see a vet. It is however much more likely to just disappear after a nice nose clearing sneeze.

Hay dust doesn't cause URI, which is a bacterial respiratory infection; hence why it really needs a vet trip and an antibiotic.
Guinea pig airways are very narrow and comparatively small and guinea pigs can't breathe through the mouth, so you are bound to notice the least obstruction of the airways. You can learn to judge how things are by holding your ear against the chest, the throat and the nose, so you have an idea what normal breathing sounds like. Anything in wrong in the throat or the lungs should be seen by a vet promptly.

As a new owner, it is helpful when you learn what is normal first; we are here to help you with that.
This guide here can also help with having a look at the body, so you know what to look our for during your weekly check-up and weigh-in:
Guinea pig body quirks
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

 

[cavymom2802]

To be honest, it doesn't sound badly congested to me. If you are worried and the congestion is still there by tomorrow, then see a vet. It is however much more likely to just disappear after a nice nose clearing sneeze.

Hay dust doesn't cause URI, which is a bacterial respiratory infection, hence why it really needs a vet trip and an antibiotic.
Guinea pig airways are very narrow and comparatively small and guinea pigs can't breathe through the mouth, so you are bound to notice the least obstruction of the airways. You can learn to judge how things are by holding your ear against the chest, the throat and the nose, so you have an idea what normal breathing sounds like. Anything in wrong in the throat or the lungs should be seen by a vet promptly.

As a new owner, it is helpful when you learn what is normal first; we are here to help you with that.
This guide here can also help with having a look at the body, so you know what to look our for during your weekly check-up and weigh-in:
Guinea pig body quirks
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

Awesome, thank you so much I didn’t think it was terrible sounding either but i figured I should just make sure!

 

[Tiamolly123]

Hi & welcome to our friendly forum. Your a great piggy slave, like Wiebke says if you have any worries, take him to the vets for a check up.